Since its introduction in 1979 the Leopard 2 battle tank, which was already considered to be the best in the world, has been continually modernised and adapted. From 2001 the German Army received the Leopard 2A6 version which, by way of improvement on the Leopard 2A5, had a 1.3 m longer cannon (L55). Three years earlier the first Leopard 2A6M with improved anti-mine protection had beenintroduced.

70 of the 225 Leopard 2A6s received this additional protection. Thisgave the German Army a vehicle, based on the successful, reliable and powerful Leopard 2 family, which was outstanding throughout the world in the fields of effectiveness and anti-mine protection. In addition to Germany 15 other nations use the Leopard 2.

In the course of the first motorisation programme the German Army required the development of cross-country six-wheeled trucks with a capacity weight of 3 tonnes. Henschel supplied the first "Type 33 B 1" vehicles in 1928. Already by the following year the "Type 33 D 1" with a more powerful diesel engine (100 hp)had been introduced.

This type is recognizable from its longer bonnet and extended wheelbase between first and second axles. In the early versions of the "Type 33 D 1" the rear axles were driven by separate drive shafts. This model kit is for the later version which from 1934 onwards had only one drive shaft with drive-through to the second rear axle and Simplex wheel rims.

Production of the "Admiral" stopped in 1939 when the manufacturer changed over to producing essential war equipment. The vehicle was exclusively designed for civilian use and would have established itself as the top-of-the-range model at the upper end of the market. In addition to the 4-door limousine, a cabriolet was available.

Of the total of 6,404 cars produced, over 2,000 of which were cabriolets, many were requisitioned by the German army from private individuals. These were primarily used as staff cars for generals and senior officers.

The first Leopard 2 battle tank built by Krauss Maffei were delivered to the German Army at the end of 1978. With its excellent manoeuvrability, superior fire power and outstanding handling the Leopard outperforms all other battle tanks and is in use in many countries. Crew: 4 men; weapons: 120mm gun, one 7.62mm MG and one 7.

The Soviet battle tank T-80, parallel model to the T-72 and successor to the T-64, was the first tank to be equipped with a 1000 hp gas turbine instead of a diesel engine. The 125 mm smooth bore cannon, which could also fire guided missiles, is loaded automatically like its predecessor, so that a three-man crew is sufficient.

The T-80B which was built in large numbers was primarily used by the Western Group of the Soviet armed forces with whom it left Germany in 1991.

A derivative of the famous Panther V tank, the Jagdpanther antitank vehicle proved superior to any allied opposition due to its successful combination of mobility, armour plating and fire power. The Jagdpanther antitank version of the Panther, armed with an 88 mm Pak 43/3 L/71 gun entered production on January 1944. Power unit: 600 hp V-12 Maybach petrol engine; maximum speed: 55 km/h; crew oh 5.

The M 1 A1 (Heavy Armor) "Abrams" is currently the most-up-to-date standard American tank. The front turret armour incorporates depleted uranium and the breaker plates on the turret are equipped with special valves. This is the form in which the " Abrams" was used in "Desert Storm" and it is the tank currently used by the American forces - including in Europe.

The M 1 A1 is driven by an AGT 1500 gas turbine developing 1,500 hp and reaches a maximum speed of 66 km/h. The crew of 4 are equipped with a 120 mm smooth bore gun and a coaxial 7.62 mm MG for artillery battles. They can also use a 12.7 mm and a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft gun.

From 1970 the German army received 2,136 "Marder" infantry combat vehicles and from 1989 onwards the troops had the upgraded variant "Marder 1A3" which was equipped with additional armour and an improved turret among other things. The crew consists of commander, gunner, driver and up to six infantrymen. The 441 kW 6 cylinder MTU MB 833 Ea-500 diesel engine gives the vehicle a max.

The TPz 1 (armoured load carrier) Fuchs A4 is an armoured cross-country 6x6 vehicle that was originally designed as a straightforward transporter. Today it is used with a variety of standard sets of equipment. Since 1979, over 1,000 vehicles have been delivered to the German Army. The FUCHS (Fox) has proved itself in crises and conflicts, both in the former Yugoslavia and in Afghanistan.

The Leopard 1, which went into service in 1965, is considered one of the best battle tanks of its time. When it was upgraded a total of 1224 were converted to the Leopard 1 A5. The vehicle, driven by a 10 cylinder MTU MB 838 CaM 500 multi-fuel 610 kW (830 hp) engine, develops a maximum speed of 62 km/h. It is crewed by a commander, gunner, loader and driver.